Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
August 27, 2020
By Pat Edwards
As an author, at this time of the pandemic, protest movements and the upcoming Presidential election, it has been hard to focus on anything other than those events. The news of these events constantly swirls around all of us. I’ve temporarily given up trying to complete the third book of my “Early Lane County Settlers With Connections to Lorane” series that I began a year ago. I’ve done most of the research for it, but I just haven’t been able to concentrate on it since the first of the year. I’m able to write my weekly columns because I can share my thoughts and feelings about current events.
I’ve found I’m not the only writer who is having difficulty writing creatively. Each year for the past 5 years, Jennifer Chambers and I have been publishing an anthology of wonderful stories, essays, memoirs and poetry written by mostly local authors and poets called Groundwaters. Each year, we have included more than 150 stories and poems that have showcased the amazing talent we have in this area, but in 2020, when the deadline for submissions of August 15 was fast approaching, we had fewer than 40 despite the reminders that we had sent out to our regulars. I was ready to shut down our project after 11 years for the magazine and 5 of the anthology, but we decided to put out one more call for submissions at the beginning of the month. Since then, the stories and poetry have been flooding in. Our writers made a supreme effort to keep it going and I know, only so well, how much effort it took. So, we hope to have this year’s anthology in print by November.
This past week, one of my very favorite people in this world, Millie Graves of Crow, who is also a long-time contributor to our publications, posted the following on Facebook:
“Oh happy day! Received word from Pat Edwards and Jen Chambers that our voices/authors will NOT be silenced. They have decided, after all, to turn to the monumental task of publishing the Groundwaters Anthology which is like a lifeline for so many of us. Thank you for opening an outlet for our thoughts and feelings… On behalf of all your contributors and more to come, I am grateful!”
That’s a testimonial that warms our hearts and I just can’t help it… I have to share it. Thank you, Millie!
Labor Day is fast approaching and many people are trying to figure out how to celebrate the social end of summer in such a new type of normal. There are so many questions surrounding it: about school opening—or not; fall sports’ seasons starting—or not; a last camping trip—if you can find a place to go.
Well, if you have lowered your expectations this year to a one-day picnic along your favorite stream or at the coast, you might make a stop at the Creswell Grange on Monday, September 7, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., to pick up your pre-prepared “Picnic in a Box.” You will need to call ahead and pre-order enough for your needs and pick it up curbside at the grange at 298 W. Oregon Avenue in Creswell. Each picnic box includes a pulled pork sandwich, chips, a dill pickle, coleslaw and a mini cheesecake… all for $7.
To place your order, call Dottie at 541-895-2155 by Saturday, September 5, at 4:00 p.m.
All Things Lorane 